Page 85 of Wings of Ebony
Aasim fidgets.
“That a problem?”
“Who is this Bri?” Bati asks Aasim.
“A Gray,” Aasim says, and Bati frowns.
“Why do they look like that anyway?”
“The grayish skin? Something about the UVB rays and the veil over the island turns pale skin that grayish color.” He turns back to Bati, whose frown has deepened. “Bri is her bes—”
“She’s my best friend here. The only Ghizo—I-I mean, G-Gray—I trust.” No shade to Aasim, but Bri’s my girl. I pretty much just started talking to him. “I-I don’t mean to say I don’t trust you all here, I mean the only one I trustof them.”
Bati nods. “I understood what you said.” He purses his lips.
This idea doesn’t please him. Why?
“It is not for me to criticize. The Ancestors trust your judgment, as should I. Do as you wish.” He turns to go.Shit, did I offend him?
Aasim watches him leave then turns to me. “It’s a sensitive topic.”
“But, Bri—”
“I know. But look at it from where they’re standing. Everyone out there is the enemy. The Chancellor’s brainwashed the people out there into worshipping him. Those outsiders in New Ghizon wield magic, thanks to him. You think they’d give that up? You think they’d see him the way we do?”
We.
I mean, he’s right. People do get comfortable in their ways, like a favorite pair of jeans. Hell or high water, no matter how tight they get, they ain’t throwing them out. Will it be the same with this?
“Bri would.”I think.“I mean, I hope she would.” My insides flip. Would she see what the Chancellor’s done? Why it’s wrong? Would she get it? “Well, I’m bringing her here, so I guess we’ll find out.”
“And if she doesn’t see things our way?” he asks.
Our.
“Then what?” There’s something in his gaze that makes me uneasy.
“I-I’ll deal with it. With her.” What does that even mean? I don’t know. And I don’t want to find out.
Like clockwork, my wrist vibrates. I’d told her I need to check on Tasha, and asked her to get here right away, alone and undetected.
Bri: K, send me the coordinates.
I shoot her our location.
Bri: Luke’s keeping an eye on the General. Any movement in or out of Ghizon, he’ll let us know.
Me: Thanks. Y’all still good?
Bri: Eh. I guess.
Me: See you soon. I want all the deets.
Bri will understand. Shehasto. She’s always been my girl and she won’t let me down in this. She usually recognizes messed-up shit when she sees it. She’ll see this for what it is.
My insides are a bed of eels.
He tugs my hand harder and I follow as fast as I can. As if this time we might actually get out of this forest. As if this time we might finally make it to where he’s leading me. My kicks skid clumsily over the damp forest floor. I hook an arm around the black bark of a tree and it’s smooth to the touch, like polished ebony. Faster. He tugs, hands wrapped tight around my wrist. I’m breathless. I push, even though I know the crack is coming.
